Articles Archive for March 2013

We’ve been hearing quite a bit lately about Disney’s upcoming film Planes, which recently made the switch from a direct-to-DVD film to a theatrical release and landed Dane Cook as the voice of the film’s star. This week brought us another new look at Planes, as a new poster for the film was officially released.
A spin-off of Disney/Pixar’s popular Cars franchise, Disney’s Planes is a new computer animated film being made by DisneyToon Studios. Here’s the film’s official synopsis from Disney:
From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D …

This week brought another big milestone for Disney on Broadway and its hit show Newsies, which celebrated its one year anniversary yesterday, March 29.
Newsies, which features music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, a book by Harvey Fierstein, and direction by Jeff Calhoun, officially opened on Broadway March 29, 2012. The show’s Broadway transfer, following a successful run at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, was initially intended to be a strictly limited engagement, with the show originally set to close on June 10. However, the show proved to be incredibly …

To mark the opening of Iron Man 3 in theaters on May 3, Disneyland guests will have a special opportunity to get up close to some of the actual set pieces used in the film.
Starting on April 13, head to Innoventions at Disneyland Park in California for a chance to see the Hall of Armor featured in the latest installment of the hit franchise. Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries will feature Iron Man suits Mark I through VII.
In addition to viewing the actual set pieces, fans of the …

Yesterday, 59 Central Florida organizations that serve the needs of children were awarded grants by Disney. The grants totalled more than $1.5 million.
Under the Disney Helping Kids Shine Grants program, the company awarded various groups ” that have a positive impact on approximately 70,000 thousand children in our community.”
Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis also awarded the Orange County Public Library System with the Bob Allen Outstanding Community Service Award. Disney awards the grant annually to a group in recognition for exemplary work to youths in the Central Florida area. Plans …

A court has awarded a disabled man $8,000 after he was stranded for 30 minutes on “It’s a Small World” at Disneyland, according to the man’s attorney.
Jose Martinez was awarded the sum for “pain and suffering” as well as “violation of disability law.”
Disney disagreed with the ruling, and said, according to spokesperson Suzi Brown, that the park provided the necessary assistance to Mr. Martinez, and regretted that the court did not support their position. She also offered that the violation had been addressed.
Mr. Martinez’s attorney stated that his client suffers …

There are three brand new Disney Pixar “Cars Toons” Shorty Shorts now live on Disney.com and Cars.Disney.com. Dubbed “Shorty Shorts” because they are all only 90 seconds long or less, each spot offers an entertaining view into the world of Cars. Directed by Jeremy Lasky and produced by Mary Alice Drumm, Disney Pixar “Cars Toons” feature some of our favorite characters in new and surprising situations.
Head to Disney.com or Cars.Disney.com to check out all three videos, including:

“Hiccups” – When Lightning McQueen gets the hiccups, everyone in Radiator Springs thinks they have the cure.
“Bugged” …

Two live entertainment experiences available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closing soon, a spokesperson confirms.
The Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun parade, as well as the Disney Channel Rocks show will both be ending performances at the park as of April 6. No replacement has been announced as of today’s date.
The Pixar Pals parade features many characters from such films as Ratatouille, Toy Story, Up, The Incredibles, and Monsters, Inc. The rolling show debuted in 2011, when it replaced Block Party Bash. Disney Rocks, on the other hand, is a …

runDisney is adding a new race, as well as a new challenge, to its wildly popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in 2014. Next year, in addition to family fun runs, a 5K, a Donald Half Marathon, and a Mickey Marathon, runDisney will introduce the Minnie 10K to the line up. With the introduction of a new race, a new challenge has also been announced.
Beginning next year, runner will have the opportunity to complete the Dopey Challenge. The group of races, guaranteed to test the endurance of even the most …

ABC is already in the forefront of broadcast technology. They are the first network to sell episodes via iTunes as well as the first to offer free streaming videos on its website. Their upcoming “Watch” app would only confirm ABC’s lead over other networks in this particular oeuvre.
On Tuesday, the New York Times gave readers some details about a new app that Disney subsidiary ABC is preparing to launch. The app, known as a “Watch” app, would allow ABC subscribers to stream live video directly to their smartphone or iPad. …

Walt Disney World annual passholders have been wondering when they would get in on the new RFID technology that the resort is rolling out. Now, word is coming that the transition is set to begin immediately.
According to ContactlessNews.com, guests who purchase or renew their annual passes on or after March 20 — today — will be issued passes that utilize the new technology. The most immediate benefit that guests with the new passes will enjoy will be quicker entry to the parks via the My Magic + readers, as lines …